Renowned musician Ben Folds has announced his highly anticipated 2025 tour, featuring a blend of solo performances, orchestral collaborations, and the fan-favorite Paper Airplane Request Tour. This exciting series of concerts promises to showcase Folds' unique piano-rock style, beloved tracks, and engaging interactions with his audience.
The tour is set to kick off on March 18-19, 2025, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri, where Folds will perform alongside the Kansas City Symphony. This remarkable opening will set the tone for what is expected to be an extraordinary year packed with musical celebrations.
Following the Kansas City shows, Folds will take his Paper Airplane Request Tour to Johnson City, Tennessee, on April 11, and Marietta, Ohio, on April 12. The innovative format allows fans to write song requests on paper airplanes and toss them onto the stage, creating thrilling spontaneous performances—a concept which has become increasingly popular among his audiences.
Folds will continue his tour with various symphony orchestras across the United States, including the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, augmenting his solo performances with the depth and richness of orchestral arrangements. Specific dates include April 15, 2025, for the Cincinnati Pops performance at the Cincinnati Music Hall, and May 3, 2025, at the Bradley Symphony Center with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
The tour will also include solo performances at venues like the Robins Theatre in Warren, Ohio, on April 13, 2025; the Grand Theater in Wausau, Wisconsin, on May 4; and the CH Mayo Presentation Hall in Rochester, Minnesota, on May 7. These solo shows offer fans the chance to experience Folds' artistry more intimately.
Other highlights of the tour consist of performances with the Omaha Symphony on May 9-10, 2025, and the Howard County Youth Orchestra on May 18, 2025, at Merriweather Post Pavilion, ensuring diverse musical experiences. Folds will make his way through various cities, including Detroit on May 23-24, 2025, for performances at Orchestra Hall, followed by solo shows at various iconic venues along the East Coast.
Folds rounded out his touring schedule with dates stretching throughout the summer and fall, concluding the tour on December 2, 2025, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon. Here’s the full schedule of his tour:
- March 2025
- Mar 18-19: Kansas City, MO – Kauffman Center for The Performing Arts (with Kansas City Symphony)
- Apr 11: Johnson City, TN – ETSU Martin Center for the Arts (Paper Airplane Request Tour)
- Apr 12: Marietta, OH – The Peoples Bank Theatre (Paper Airplane Request Tour)
- Apr 13: Warren, OH – Robins Theatre (Ben Folds Solo)
- Apr 15: Cincinnati, OH – Cincinnati Music Hall (with Cincinnati Pops Orchestra)
- Apr 25-26: Costa Mesa, CA – Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (with The Pacific Symphony)
- May 2025
- May 3: Milwaukee, WI – Bradley Symphony Center (with Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra)
- May 4: Wausau, WI – Grand Theater (Ben Folds Solo)
- May 7: Rochester, MN – CH Mayo Presentation Hall
- May 9-10: Omaha, NE – Holland Performing Arts Center (with Omaha Symphony)
- May 18: Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion (with Howard County Youth Orchestra)
- May 23-24: Detroit, MI – Orchestra Hall (with Detroit Symphony Orchestra)
- June-July 2025
- Jun 13: South Bend, IN – Morris Performing Arts Center
- Jun 14: Interlochen, MI – Interlochen Center for the Arts
- Jun 16: Chicago, IL – Symphony Center (with Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
- Jun 18: Rome, NY – Capital Theatre
- Jun 20: Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall
- Jun 21: Englewood, NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center
- Jun 22: Wilmington, DE – The Grand
- Jul 22: Portland, ME – State Theatre
- Jul 23: Rockport, MA – Shalin Liu Performing Arts Center
- Jul 26: Groton, MA – Groton Hill Music Center
- Jul 27: Cranston, RI – Park Theatre and Event Center
- September-December 2025
- Sep 5: Louisville, KY – The Kentucky Center (with Louisville Orchestra)
- Sep 12-13: Denver, CO – Boettcher Concert Hall (with Colorado Symphony)
- Sep 26-27: Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall (with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
- Oct 4: Grand Rapids, MI – DeVos Performance Hall (with Grand Rapids Symphony)
- Dec 2: Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Ben Folds, who has become widely recognized as the frontman of Ben Folds Five, has crafted his career as a notable figure within alternative rock and pop music. His celebrated tracks include "Brick," "Army," and "The Luckiest," and he has engaged with artists such as Regina Spektor and "Weird Al" Yankovic. Beyond his musical endeavors, Folds has made his mark as a television personality, judging NBC's "The Sing-Off" from 2009 to 2013 and serving as the National Symphony Orchestra's artistic advisor.
Most tickets for these performances have already gone on sale, with additional dates set to be released soon. For more information, including ticket availability and complete scheduling details, fans can visit Ben Folds’ official website. Prepare for what promises to be another outstanding tour by this iconic musician!